Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Machine Learning

University of Oxford
Oxford, South East England, United Kingdom
3 days ago
£39 – £47 pa

Salary

£39 – £47 pa

Job Type
Permanent
Work Pattern
Full-time
Posted
23 Jul 2026 (3 days ago)

We are seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Machine Learning to join Torr Vision Group at the Department of Engineering Science (central Oxford). The post is fixed-term for 1 year.

This is an interdisciplinary research project aimed at advancing the interpretability, safety, and alignment of machine learning systems. We seek candidates with expertise into the use, extension and optimization of large language models (LLMs) and related architectures for generative tasks, continuous learning, indexing or retrieval, support of retrieval augmented generation over many data points from long term histories, automatic extraction of relevant data from noisy, multimodal observations.

This role offers the opportunity to develop new techniques for interpretable, safe, and socially beneficial AI while engaging with policy proposals and governance for responsible AI development. We seek researchers passionate about steering AI progress towards transparent, ethical, and human-aligned systems. There will be close collaboration with policymakers to apply empirical safety research for AI regulation and governance.

You should possess a PhD or DPhil (or near completion of) in Machine Learning. You should have knowledge of approaches for areas related to RAG, LLM, Agentic systems. You should have the ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Philip Torr (email: )

For more information about working at the Department, see

www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/

Only online applications received before midday on6th August 2026 can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, including a brief statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future plans fit with the advertised position), CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Additional actions

Robotics, Nano-technology, Linux): Machine Learning, Large Language Models, AI Safety

Related Jobs

View all jobs
Spotlight

Business Development Manager – New Business Sales

SenseAI Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Hybrid
Spotlight

Senior AI Engineer

Bodyswaps London, United Kingdom
Hybrid

Machine Learning Fellow - Human Frontier Collective (UK)

Scale AI United Kingdom
Remote

STEM Fellow - Human Frontier Collective (UK)

Scale AI United Kingdom
Remote

SWE Fellow - Human Frontier Collective (UK)

Scale AI United Kingdom
Remote

Data Scientist, Antibody Design (12-month

Relation Therapeutics London, United Kingdom
On-site

Research Scientist (Applied LLMs), London

Isomorphic Labs London, United Kingdom
Hybrid

Research Scientist (Machine Learning), London

Isomorphic Labs London, United Kingdom
Hybrid

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

What Is an AI Forward Deployed Engineer? The Fastest-Growing Job in AI for 2026

If you have been watching AI job boards over the past year, one title keeps surfacing again and again: the forward deployed engineer, or FDE. It has gone from a niche term known mainly to Palantir alumni to arguably the hottest role in the entire AI hiring market. Job postings for forward deployed engineers have exploded, salaries have climbed past levels most software engineers will ever see, and the biggest names in AI — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Salesforce, Databricks and Palantir — are all competing for the same small pool of talent. So what exactly is an AI forward deployed engineer, why has demand surged so dramatically, and how do you position yourself to land one of these roles? This guide breaks it all down for AI engineers, software engineers and data scientists looking at their next move.